President Obama will land in India on November 6 for a two-day state visit. His two-day visit will in all probability shut down vehicular traffic in and around the city. Now, if anyone knows anything about traffic in India, one will immediately come to the conclusion that its citizens are not going to be too happy with the inconvenience put forth by the presence of Obama. (See the video at the end of the post.) Don't get me wrong, I am not against our President traveling to meet with foreign dignities to solve the world's problems. But, this twelve day-junket, two days in India, will accomplish what purpose? (Isn't it interesting that this trip by Obama comes immediately after the mid-term elections? In other words, it appears the purpose of the twelve-day junket is to get out of "Dodge" immediately after the potential demise of the House Democrats on November 2, 2010.)
Now, to the cost of the trip, junket, vacation or whatever you want to call it. The following excerpt is from the "Economic Times of India."
"To ensure fool-proof security, the President’s team has booked the entire the Taj Mahal Hotel, including 570 rooms, all banquets and restaurants. Since his security contingent and staff will comprise a huge number, 125 rooms at Taj President have also been booked, apart from 80 to 90 rooms each in Grand Hyatt and The Oberoi hotels. The NCPA, where the President is expected to meet representatives from the business community, has also been entirely booked. The officer said, 'Obama’s contingent is huge. There are two jumbo jets coming along with Air Force One, which will be flanked by security jets. There will be 30 to 40 secret service agents, who will arrive before him. The President’s convoy has 45 cars, including the Lincoln Continental in which the President travels.' Since Obama will stay in a hotel that is on sea front, the US Navy has made elaborate coastal security arrangements in consonance with the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. There will be US naval ships, along with Indian vessels, patrolling the sea till about 330-km from the shore. This is to negate the possibility of a missile being fired from a distance,” the officer said."
"To ensure fool-proof security, the President’s team has booked the entire the Taj Mahal Hotel, including 570 rooms, all banquets and restaurants. Since his security contingent and staff will comprise a huge number, 125 rooms at Taj President have also been booked, apart from 80 to 90 rooms each in Grand Hyatt and The Oberoi hotels. The NCPA, where the President is expected to meet representatives from the business community, has also been entirely booked. The officer said, 'Obama’s contingent is huge. There are two jumbo jets coming along with Air Force One, which will be flanked by security jets. There will be 30 to 40 secret service agents, who will arrive before him. The President’s convoy has 45 cars, including the Lincoln Continental in which the President travels.' Since Obama will stay in a hotel that is on sea front, the US Navy has made elaborate coastal security arrangements in consonance with the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard. There will be US naval ships, along with Indian vessels, patrolling the sea till about 330-km from the shore. This is to negate the possibility of a missile being fired from a distance,” the officer said."
Bon Voyage, Mr. President.
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